Dear Church Family
I am in a season of refreshing because of the mission trips that God has put in my path right now. By the time you’re reading this, we will be wrapping up our mission to the Kuna Indians on the San Blas Islands off the north coast of Panama. Days like that when I can concentrate on sharing the gospel are days of refreshing for me. Next, God has provided for me to go to Ukraine to preach and share the Gospel in a place I haven’t seen. Thanks for letting me go!
In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul compares our Christian works to a building. He looks ahead to the fire that is coming (the judgment of the Last Day) and sees many Christian “works” being burned up. Being judged as unworthy, unwanted, useless busy-ness, these Christian “works” don’t enter into Heaven’s record. They don’t qualify their Christian for a crown.
In 1 Thess 2:19, Paul gets specific about the Christian works that last, the “works” that earn a crown, the works that God rewards: “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.” The Christians of Thessalonica were Paul’s “works.” He worked for the Lord in winning souls and these “works” are the works God wants us all to do. The works that are not burned up in the fire are the people we’ve led to Christ!
Who’s your one? So many Christians today have never led anyone to faith in Christ. Who’s your one? Someday, when we stand before God, what “works” will we present? Will there be at least one “work,” one person who will be there in heaven because we’ve shared the Gospel? Who’s your one? A family member? A co-worker? A life-long friend? Will all our works burn up in judgment? What is the work that God approves? Winning souls for Christ!
Our Fall season will be given over largely to answering Who’s Your One? There is someone, one person, whom you know, who is not a believer. Maybe like never before, would you pray 30 days for this person to be saved? Would you partner up with someone to make a visit to your friend? Would you present the Gospel and to ask them to believe? This will be your great project, your great adventure for the Lord this Fall.
Who’s Your One?
Brother Jonathan
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